Tag Archives: Jal Mahal

January, that time of the year when everybody be it Jaipurites or tourists always ask for this one place, Jal Mahal. Yes! Jal Mahal is in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan and no, it is not built on an island like other water palaces. This 5 storied building continues to stand still in Man Sagar Lake with 4 floors immersed in water and dare anyone come near it. You can watch, behold the sight and, capture its beauty only from a distance as it is too introverted to let anybody close to it. We’re sure you must have visited this eyeful multiple of times, but let’s enlighten you today on these unknown facts about your favourite “Water Palace”.

Initially, Jal Mahal welcomed the royal family with open arms and let them have a gala time here. Back then it served as a host to duck hunting parties for the royals. Years passed by and it started getting shy. And now, you can only have a look at it wondering what makes this architectural marvel stand tall in the water body.

Come February, and you can spot a large number of migratory birds dancing here and there, enjoying the serenity of water at Jal Mahal. This once again revives the liveliness in it.

Chameli Bagh of Jal Mahal was a grand spectacle to watch back when beautiful dance and musical performances painted this splendor in its own colours.

Built in red sandstone, Jal Mahal is one of the most photographed monuments in Pink City. With tranquil waters by the side and birds sitting on top of the chattris giving it a picturesque view, tourists and locals love to spend their evenings here, clicking selfies with it in the soothing backdrop.

Catch the sight of this exquisiteness this weekend with your loved ones, but only from the outside as no one can actually go inside it to see it.

Most people view the architectural brilliance of Jal Mahal from across the Jaipur-Delhi Road but if you take a walk for a kilometer or two into the valley behind the lake, its true beauty will reveal.

Did we just make you love Jal Mahal even more? If yes, then we think we have sorted your weekend evening plans! 😉

Jaipur is a storehouse of exotic flora and fauna, green spaces, surrounding lakes unique wildlife, set to be discovered by any nature lover. As you walk a path that winds pristinely through the boudoir of tranquility and natural beauty, there exists one big avian attraction- ManSagar Lake in Jaipur.

Amidst a curtain of bougainvillea flowers where the golden sun rays filtered from horizon, gives an endless fascination to watch winged wonders; Yes, some migratory, some local, few big and countless small; some in water and multitudes hovering over the lake but all of them will capture your attention to watch the beauties and photograph them.

Every year in the month of February, the glory of Jal Mahal at Mansagar Lake burgeons as the new winged guests make their magnanimous presence. During this time of the year, with an intention to promote bird watching and nature conservation, the Tourism and Wildlife Society of India (TWSI) celebrates ‘Bird Fair’. This year the 20th edition of Indian Birding Fair was held on 9th & 10th Feb.

The organizer of the British Bird Watching Fair, Dr. Tim Appleton also participated and around 38 varieties of Birds were sighted during this time.

Don’t miss to look up the aerial ballet that the birds perform while flocking!

It is simply mesmerizing and you can not stop marvelling at the sight of a murmuration! For such are the treats in store here that it’s hard to think of a place that is more rewarding to the seeker of avian travellers.

So, plan a trip to cherish the bounty of nature, take great photographs and simply enjoy!

Festivals of India are globally popular for their rituals, customs and the fun element attached with them. One of the most popular festivals of India is Makar Sankranti! The festival of kites is best celebrated in the Jaipur City of Rajasthan. We know you’re already charged up for the kite wars in sky while savoring a world’s supply of sesame and dal pakodis, but before you climb up the roof to cut your neighbor’s kite let us help you sneak into the festivities of Makar Sankranti celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jaipur 🙂

Significance

Most likely the Hindu festivals follow lunar calendar. Hence, the dates of festivals change every year. But Makar Sankranti is the only festival which falls on the same day i.e. 14th January every year as it follows the solar calendar. Predominantly known as the harvest festival, Sankranti is the day which officially marks the end of winter and beginning of spring – a transit symbolic of saying good bye to the season’s shivering struggle and the onset of a fresh new season with longer days and shorter nights!

The day of Makar Sankranti in Jaipur starts with taking a holy dip in the Kunds (natural water springs) inside the Galtaji temple which is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Jaipur.

Soaring high on Pink City’s Sky

The Kite flying enthusiasts begin the preparations one night before the festival, then early morning innumerable colorful kites dot the skyline of Pink City- Jaipur to announce the festive beginning of the year. The Walled City enjoys kite flying on their houses’ terraces with high pitched music, Sankranti special delicacies in the company of their friends and family. People from all age groups enjoy fluttering their kites. Not just the walled city homes, but the whole city is colorfully ornamented with different unique kites. On a larger scale, special events are organized by tourism department on open grounds and the City Palace for the tourists and international kite flyers landed in Jaipur mainly for the Kite Festival. Jal Mahal Ki Pal becomes the epicenter of Kite festival in Jaipur, where kite flyers would challenge each other with their kites soaring high in the sky and the exciting duels with the winner taking it all! Various cultural programmes like Rajasthani Dance performances, musical band and decorated kites exhibition enrich the whole Kite Festival experience in Jaipur.

A transit from colors to lights

The special attraction since a couple of years is the sky balloon lantern. It appears as a million flickering fire flies dot the sky! As the sun begins to set, people release paper lamps from their terraces and the fascinating firework take over the sky by the late evening till night.

Image courtesy google

Traditional Kite Markets of Jaipur

It’s not just the kite flying that grabs kite lovers’ attention during this season, but a vibrant and inviting canvas of colors and more colors that fetches everyone to these kite markets of Jaipur! Haldiyon Ka Rasta and HaandiPura are the nationally acclaimed markets that supply kites and Maanjha ‘the thread’ to other states too. A visit to these streets is a treat for eyes and you wouldn’t resist buying not few but so many kites and Maanjha.

Indulgent Sankranti Delicacies

Indian festivals are incomplete without special food and festive delicacies. Hence, Sankranti too has its share of goodies. The most popular traditional Makar Sankranti sweets and delicacies of Jaipur are Til ke laddoo, chakki, Gajjak, fini, Jalebi and different kinds of pakodas!!

As it happens to be a weekend as well to tempt you more, travel down to Jaipur and revel in the spirit of Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated by flying kites, victorious screams of ‘Wo Kaata’, holy dips, making merry and savoring delicious food!!

No other province awaits rains like the desert state of Rajasthan. The first shower of monsoon is like a breath of relief and a full stop to the constant endurance of blazing heat. After a long scorching summer, a monsoon vacation is a must and to make it even more relaxing and refreshing, exploring the beauty of Rajasthan should be on the top of your bucket list. And to know why, take a look at some of the amazing and some hidden destinations of this state which become way more attractive with every shower.

Udaipur

Known as the Venice of East, the rains can bring the romance alive in this city of lakes. The view of clouds, the smell of rain, the greenery and royalty of Taj Lake Palace, City Palace, Sajjangarh Fort aka Monsoon Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir and their surroundings will make you fall in love all over again.

Bhainsrorgarh

Who doesn’t love the view of lush green forests and river in monsoon? The heritage boutique hotel of Bhainsrorgarh situated on a cliff on the banks of Chambal River will give you the time of your life. Sightseeing during rains, visit to the Badoli Temple, capturing the beauty of the river and enjoy the moments of relaxation while dining on a cliff is monsoon bliss 😉

Visiting a hill station during monsoon can be your first best decision and choosing Mount Abu for the same would be your second best. It is a lethal combination of rains, amazing weather for trek, mountains, waterfalls, flora and fauna, and getting breath taking views from Dilwara Jain Temple and Nakki Lake.

Keoladeo

Monsoon is the best time of the year to come and enjoy the natural beauty of Keoladeo National Park aka Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary since more than 350 avian species are available for bird watching. The Bharatpur Forest Lodge can be your stop to sit, feel the rain and enjoy the melodious chirping all around.

Narlai

Midway between Jodhpur and Udaipur, Narlai can be your next destination. Old havelis, jeep safari for spotting deer, panthers, chital, leopards, and trekking are some of the major attractions for this time of the year.

Special for receiving greatest amount of rainfall, Bundi is also famous for the Hadoti Palace, the step wells, Nawal Sagar Lake, and beautifully carved havelis; this less explored travel destination has its own story to tell via the rains.

The rains and cool breeze would be welcoming and soothing for you to visit Kumbhalgarh fort or go out in the wild on a jeep safari in Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary. This is the right weather for you to watch the real beauty of the flora and fauna that comes out with the rain.

Mahansar

If you are into mythology, Mahansar is the right destination for you where the sone-chandi ki dukan portray gold leaf paintings of Ramayan and life of Krishna, and to enjoy the best of it you need to take a break from burning summers and visit the place during monsoon. The greenery accompanied with cool temperature will leave you amazed.

The lakes, the wildlife, the scenic beauty and desert camping are only a few of the major attractions in Pushkar. The city comes to life during monsoons as completely different shades of Pushkar are visible in the midst of monsoon showers.

Kuchaman

One of the hidden destinations of Rajasthan, Kuchaman has a lot in store for you especially during monsoons. The cool and refreshing weather is perfect to visit and praise the beauty of Kuchaman Fort, the cliffs, Sheesh Mahal, Meera Mahal, and Jal Mahal.

Another unexplored place of Rajasthan is Mandawa. The rains are a perfect time to enjoy the old havelis, paintings and open air art gallery in the Mandawa Palace.

Ranakpur

Known for its spectacular marble Jain temple and few other temples like the sun temple, Ranakpur is ideal when admired in monsoon season. The fall in temperature makes it easier to wander and enjoy the incredible architecture.

Jaipur

Last yet not the least – capital city, the Pink City. Witness the Teej festival which marks the advent of monsoon along with the awe inspiring sites of Jal Mahal, Albert Hall museum, step wells, Hawa Mahal and the temples in Jaipur especially during the rains because it’s the best time of the year to enjoy the marvelous beauty of the city.

And you cannot skip the delicious cuisine of Rajasthan while going around the state and enjoying the major attractions, can you?

India is a finery of art and crafts and each state savors in its specialty of cultural ethos by presenting it in the form of handloom and craft. Craft over the years have become a catalytic tool for social and economic empowerment.

Dastkar is one such NGO giving a platform to a number of crafts and craftsmen and separating them from the usual urban market along with working for reviving their craft and also uplifting and encouraging the community.

The Dastkar Bazaar, supported by the Government of Rajasthan unveils today by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The Bazaar will showcase some of the finest craftsmanship from across the country by bringing artisans on a single platform.

Image Credit: Dastkar Ranthambore

This vibrant celebration of crafts and culture begins from today (16th Oct’2015) and will be spreading the artistic skills till 8th November 2015. You can also learn these handcrafted skills from some traditional craftspeople through demonstrations and workshops.

Image Credit: Dastkar Ranthambore

So come down at Urban Haat, Parshuram Dwara, Opposite Jal Mahal, Jaipur to revel the real beauty of Indian craft and craftsmen.

Do you know why is it named as Nakki Lake? Here is it. Dug out from the nails for the protection from demons, thus got it name as Nakki Lake. Situated on the only hill station of Rajasthan- Mount Abu, Nakki Lake serves the most important tourist destination of Mount Abu as well as Rajasthan.

Approximately 13 kms spread this lake built by Anaji Chauhan is in the city of Ajmer. Ana Sagar is the biggest artificial lake in Ajmer, with a small accessible island. Another small lake in Ajmer is Foy Sagar.

3) Gadisar Lake

A man-made lake which was initially constructed for water conservation, is the only perennial water body in the desert city of Rajasthan, and thus proves to be the must visit site in Jaisalmer.

4) Pushkar Lake

A sacred lake which has a religious significance, is a must visit during the major fair of India – Pushkar Fair. It has its own beauty during the night, when people sit at the Ghats to enjoy the serene beauty and peaceful environment.

5) Mansagar Lake

Situated in the capital city of Rajasthan- Jaipur is an artificial lake which has Jal Mahal situated in the middle. It is a famous tourist attraction of Jaipur which also provides the facility of boating. The Jal Mahal highlights the attractiveness and importance of this lake.

6) Lake Pichola

Considered as one of the most beautiful lakes of Rajasthan, is situated in the ‘City of Lakes’ – Udaipur. Some of the main tourist attractions of Udaipur are situated along the periphery of this lake. With its own charm, people also come to enjoy its scenic beauty – sunrise and sunset. Fateh Sagar Lake is also an important lake of Udaipur which is connected with Lake Pichola. This lake was originally constructed for irrigation purpose, and to provide water for drinking in the city of Udaipur.

Jal Mahal, built as a summer palace by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 in the middle of the picturesque Man Sagar Lake, was in a state of decay thanks to the filth released into it by two of Jaipur’s biggest drains, Brahmpuri and Nag Talai.

As part of its restoration efforts, the Jal Mahal, along with the Man Sagar Lake, was leased out in public private partnership and went into controversy.

But now the Supreme Court has made the lease for Jal Mahal Resort Pvt ltd legal, but the lease agreement duration has been reduced to 30 years from 99 years.

Now the Jal Mahal and the adjoining areas would soon going to be a destination in itself with a monument and a resort with entertainment, food courts, shopping areas, hotels and conference centres attracting and boosting both, leisure and market.

The other features of the project include the creation of Jal Tarang, a green leisure destination for visitors and locals alike along Man Sagar Lake that would include environment-friendly accommodation, independent galleries and boutiques, and lake-side dining along a tree-lined promenade, all in keeping with Jaipur’s heritage as the artistic heart of India.